Dressed in a black leather jacket adorned with a red bandana, Bob Mansell undeniably embodies the essence of a Harley-Davidson enthusiast. However, at 81 years old, his presence on the road commands attention.
"I was pondering my plans for the summer and thought, 'I'll take a ride on my trike,'" remarked the octogenarian, his long hair flowing beneath his helmet. Just last month, Bob embarked on a solo journey from Edmonton to London, Ont., to reconnect with family.
"To me, it was routine, but out west, many expressed concern, wishing me a safe journey," shared the former millwright, who plans to stay in London for another week.
His five children share his concern for safety. "I accompanied him for two hours on the highway just to ensure he was alright," said his 54-year-old son, Dave Mansell, residing in Alberta. With Bob's four-day trek eastward, his family kept tabs on him through a GPS tracker mounted on his bike.
Last year, upon reaching 80, Bob, a former Royal Canadian Air Force member, traded his Fat Boy Harley-Davidson for a trike, weighing nearly 800 pounds less. His decision was influenced by his children's insistence on safer riding practices, particularly with his grandchildren.
Bob's passion for riding traces back seven decades to his first encounter with a Harley. "There's an allure to Harleys, and I've been fortunate enough to afford them," he reflected. "This marks my third substantial Harley."
Recalling his childhood introduction to riding, his son Wayne reminisced, "I was just 12 when he sat me on a Honda CB550 Four. Though I couldn't reach the pegs, he let me take a spin around the block, swearing me to secrecy afterward. And I've been riding ever since."
Initially startled by his father's ambition to traverse Canada at his age, Wayne quickly swelled with pride. "I aspire to continue relishing the freedom of riding for as long as I can twist a throttle," he proclaimed.
Bob maintains his physical fitness through daily workouts and attributes riding to a sense of liberation. "It's where I find solace. It's indescribable. Once it's in your blood, life without a bike seems unimaginable."